Part 1 | Segment 0.6.3 | Gauntlet of-[Redacted]...

Two buildings, standing side by side with one the left, being labeled "Shop," a simple wooden structure painted a soft blue, with icicles hanging from the roof and snow piled up against the walls. The Inn is on the right, slightly larger and with a higher roof. Both buildings are connected by a small walkway in the middle, made of the same wood, with a half snow-covered window. 

"The shop it is then!" I decided.

Upon entering you get met by the cozy and soft new atmosphere as if I wasn't just at there in the snow. Touching the wooden counters the hold items, armor, weapons and a sense of familiarity. I don't know… It felt fuzzy and soft. Even I don't if that's the right word for it. 

"Hello, Traveller. How may I help you?" A voice spoke as I entered.

A voice from a lady up front sitting behind the counter. I turn to see who she looks like. A purple bunny. She wears a tank top, small necklace, and summer hat. The shop itself is a brightly lit, orange store, with shelves of materials and wares. She crosses her arms and just leans against the countertop and facial expression pointing towards me as if she was inspecting who I was for a bit. A gentle murmur, low and soothing, with a mature warmth with a hint of an Australian accent.

"Oh! Uh.. Hello! I am.. Just looking for…" I trailed off, unsure of what to say. The shelves were packed with materials and wares, but I had no idea what I needed.

I looked around not sure of what to say, But she picked up the fact that I didn't yet know what I wanted.

her voice soft and soothing, with a hint of an Australian accent. "Aw, that's alright, darling. Just take your time."

I chuckled nervously, scratching the back of my head. "Hehe… thanks."

She smiled faintly and shifted her weight, crossing her arms.

"Name's Mina, by the way. Mina Chet. And what about you, love?"

"Polly," I replied. "I don't have a last name... at least, I don't remember it."

"Polly, is it? Well, I haven't seen you 'round here before." Her eyes narrowed slightly, though her tone remained friendly. "Whereabouts are you from, love?"

"Uh... further underground?" I said, my voice rising at the end as though unsure myself. Both corners of my mouth pulled into an awkward, apologetic smile.

Mina looked me up and down, her long ears twitching slightly. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she let out a small sigh, the sound barely more than a breath.

"Hmm. Well, you've got a look about you," she muttered, her tone somewhere between amused and curious. 

"Well, sweetheart, no matter where you're from, you're welcome to pop into my shop anytime it's open. Alright, love?" Mina said warmly, her accent softening the words.

"T-thanks!" I stammered, feeling my face flush under her gaze. Ugh! I've never wanted to disappear from existence than now. Is this what they call, "fumbling around the huzz?" I thought to myself wanting to fade way and never to be found.

"You sounded so nervous. Are you okay?" Mani finally asked, poking at my face and raising an eyebrow.

[M]

"Well, I'm doing just PERFECT having to come up with why I'm here and where I'm from to a stranger. No less, a monster, for that matter." My sarcasm practically dripped through our connection.

Mani's voice carried an edge of amusement. "I see... Well! Ask her if she knows how to get out of here or if she's got items or armor to share for you."

"Let's do that, but first…"

[M]

I look over to the armor and see some shin guards or helmets and Swords and weird items I can't even begin to understand. "I want that," I pointed to the Shin and the Arm Guards and they were plated with metal. And to be honest, they looked heavy. I grabbed the armors and from counter walked it over with effort as I could barely get it there. "H-here..." I panted, trying to mask how much effort it took. Mina stood there, arms crossed, her expression unimpressed. "Nope. Not a chance."

"I promise you, it's not as heavy for me as it looks like to you!" I argued, straightening up in an attempt to seem stronger.

"It is," she said bluntly, her tone firm. "And I'm not sellin' it to you."

"What happened to 'the customer is always right?'" I challenged, but I could already feel the answer coming.

She smirked, leaning slightly over the counter. "I dunno where you heard that, but that doesn't fly here. I've got somethin' better for you anyway, love."

Before I audibly pouted to get a reaction and to no avail as Mina disappeared into the back room, the sounds of clattering metal and shuffling wafting through the air.

As I waited, Mani chimed in again.

[M]

"She's got a point. Those things look like they could flatten you."

"Gee, a real confidence booster coming from you."

[M]

Mina's voice called out from the back room, muffled but still clear. "Since you're new 'round here, I should probably let you know..."

I blinked, unsure what to expect. "Know what?"

After a bit of clanging from the back, she emerged a moment later, carrying a unique set of items. Setting them on the counter, she continued, "In this town, there's Grillby's, where he dishes up some tucker—it's the local hangout. Then there's the library, if you're keen to learn or have a read. And if you're feelin' knackered, you can crash at the inn next door. My sister runs it."

I opened my mouth to thank her, but she wasn't done.

"And if you're bored," she added with a wry smile, "you can always sit outside and watch those wacky skeletons carry on. There's two of 'em—brothers, I reckon. They just turned up one day and, well, made themselves at home. The town's been a lot more lively since then."

I scanned the items Mina had laid out.

A glove for 50G—it was labeled as a weapon with 5AT.

A weird old orange bandanna for 50G—it was armor? "7DF. It somehow has abs on it," I muttered under my breath.

A Bisicle for 15G, which apparently healed 11HP twice.

"You can eat this twice!" Mani exclaimed in my ear.

Finally, something normal—a Cinnamon Bun for 25G, healing 22HP.

"That's from my very own recipe!" Mina said proudly, her smile beaming.

I pointed at the Cinnamon Bun. "I'd like—"

"Polly!" Mani interrupted, her voice suddenly loud and insistent. "You should ask her about the history of this town or something!"

I clenched my jaw. "You little shi—"

"?" Mina tilted her head, clearly confused.

I panicked, grabbed Mani by the wrist (or at least, where her wrist should have been), and made a dramatic motion as I tossed her out the door. Of course, to Mina, it must have looked like I was wrestling with thin air.

"Sorry?" Mina asked, her brow furrowed.

I froze. "Uh… I have… Tourette's?" I stammered. "You little shit! Hahaha, oops… My silly little Tourette's!" I gave an awkward laugh, praying she'd buy it.

She arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "A monkey could spin a better yarn than you."

I sighed, defeated. "I know. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just… tired."

Mina's expression softened. "Well, that's alright, love. We all have our moments."

"R-right. Thanks for understanding."

She waved it off casually. "So? Anything catch your eye?"

I hesitated, the question Mani had insisted on still lingering in my mind. Maybe understanding this town a little more wouldn't be so bad.

"…I actually have a question," I said.

"Go on, shoot, dear."

"I don't want to pry or anything, but… could you tell me a bit about Snowdin Town? Like, how it came to be?"

"The history of this town, eh? Alright," Mina began, leaning on the counter. "Think back to your history class...

"A long time ago, monsters lived in the RUINS out there in the forest. To cut a long story short, we all decided to leave the RUINS and head for the end of the caverns. Along the way, some fuzzy folk figured they liked the cold and set up camp here in Snowdin."

"Oh, and don't go thinking about exploring the RUINS. The door's been locked for ages. So unless you're a ghost or can burrow under the door, best forget about it."

I nodded slowly, processing her words. This was useless information. I should've never asked...

I pointed at the Cinnamon Bun again. "I'll take this one."

Mina nodded, handing it over. "Good choice."

I paid and left the shop, mumbling a quick goodbye.

Outside, I spotted Mani sitting on a rock, her gaze fixed on the distance. She hadn't noticed me yet, and honestly, it was probably better that way.

Mani perked up as soon as she noticed me.

"Oh! You're here now! Did you manage to get what you needed?" she asked, her voice chipper.

"Yeah… I did," I replied flatly, still a bit drained from earlier.

Mani fidgeted, a rare moment of hesitation crossing her features. "Heh… I should apologize. I just know how important it is to communicate with monsters here, and I thought you should get everything you can and—"

"Shh. You're fine. I don't care," I interrupted, not in the mood for her overthinking. "Let's just go to the inn and rest."

"Mhm! Let's go! Resting time! Resting time." She chanted as we continued moving forward.

It's annoying hearing her chant like that but I guess its fine for now. I enter the building next to the shop called "Inn" a rather simple but effective name if I had to say. It had the same coziness as the last building probably because their connected. The room is small but inviting, with wooden floors and walls that give it a charming, rustic feel. Directly in front of me is a small counter where the rabbit lady innkeeper stands, ready to help… Something about her though made me feel nervous though.

To my left, a stairway leads up to the guest rooms on the second floor. The lobby is decorated with a few framed pictures, adding to its homely vibe. I notice a plush, red rug on the floor, along with a couple of comfy chairs and a low table with a vase of fresh flowers. The air is filled with the comforting scent of hot cocoa. 

The innkeeper greeted me with a surprisingly peppy voice.

"Hello! I'm Lora! How may I help you?" she chirped, though her tone seemed almost too chipper.

But beneath her words, I could hear it—an intrusive whisper that didn't quite belong. At least I thought I could. Someone this preppy felt too ominous and something told me I wasn't wrong, with that being my gut instinct.

"Hehe!" She scripted out a giggle. (I can't be bothered with this stupid job anymore!!)

"I-I would like a—" I stammered, not because I didn't know what to do, but rather because of this ominous vibe I was getting for some reason. 

(Hurry the hell up, brat!)

"...One room, please," I finally said, feeling a strange mix of unease and exhaustion.

Lora's eyes lit up, though her smile remained unnervingly still.

"A room, ey? That'll be 80G," she replied sweetly. (Yeah, and ya better pay well too, brat! Or else!!)

"80G!?" I repeated, startled.

"Yes! You can stay here for the low, low cost of 80G!" she replied cheerfully. (Don't tell me this idiot is broke!?)

"Yeah, like 80G is 'low cost', jerk!" I thought.

I hesitated. "Y'see, I can't really—"

Before I could finish, Mani chimed in from behind me, revealing herself.

"I think you meant for us to stay here for free, didn't you?"

Lora blinked, taken aback. "N-no? And you are?"

"M-Mani!? Why are you—" I started, but Mani hovered forward, ignoring me entirely.

"We are going to stay here for free, right?" Mani pressed, her voice firm yet unsettlingly calm.

"I said 80-[Removed dialogue…]" Lora froze mid-sentence, her expression blank for a fleeting moment. And the next moment later a ping sound rang like a notification sound you get on a phone. 

—-> [Entry New Dialogue]

And then she suddenly perked up and resumed speaking, her tone had changed entirely. "You can come here and stay here for free whenever you like!"

I stood there, stunned. "...Okay…?"

"Yawn! Let's get you rested!" Mani chirped, brushing past me and heading towards the stairs.

"Okay?" my ass! What just happened?! I heard a strange sound right after Mani repeated herself and it sounded similar to the sound that would ring whenever Zell would speak.... Then again, I may just be overthinking it. 

Still bewildered, I followed her. Each step felt heavier than the last, my earlier burst of energy completely gone. The adrenaline high had worn off, replaced by a sluggish exhaustion that weighed on my limbs.

At the top of the stairs, I glanced back at Lora. Her cheerful demeanor was still intact, but something about her shift in behavior gnawed at me. One moment she gave off a rigid, almost hostile person, and the next, she was bending over backward to accommodate us. It wasn't normal, not by any stretch—but what could I do? I was too drained to care.

The hallway was quiet, with three doors lined up neatly on either side. I chose the first one, half-expecting something bizarre to jump out at me. But for once, there were no surprises.

The room was small but functional, with a large bed at its center. A soft lamplight in the shape of a cloud hung above the nightstand, casting a warm glow across the space. My eyes landed on a note written in heavy ink, taped to the lamp:

"Jerry is not allowed to be here anymore. If he comes in here again, feel free to kick him out. I won't say a word about it.

—Lora"

As I settled into the room, a question popped into my mind. "Who's Jerry?"

Mani flopped onto the edge of the bed, stretching her arms lazily. "A monster famous for being disliked by most people here," she replied with a yawn.

"Huh…" I muttered, glancing back at the note on the lamp. "I guess they're not all goody-goody with each other, huh? Now that I think about it, Toriel was actually too intimidating for the others around her area to be near her. To me, she just seemed like a worrisome old goat lady."

Mani chuckled softly. "I guess they're not too much different than humans in a way."

I paused, turning her words over in my mind. "…Well, I'm not so sure about that. I'm sure my kind doesn't just attack anyone just for existing."

Mani's grin widened, a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Oh? So you think if these guys ever got out, that they wouldn't be at war again?"

"…Good point." I frowned, realizing the flaw in my argument.

With that, I decided to let the conversation drop. I shrugged off my jacket, tossing it onto the desk near the door. The room's warmth felt cozy against my skin, and the bed was more inviting than I expected. I pulled back the soft blankets and climbed in, the mattress molding perfectly to my weight.

I didn't think too much about it and took my jacket off and rested it on a desk near the door. Uncovered the soft blankets and passed out. (Not literally but you get it…Right?)